Municipal Legislation Review

The Provincial Government wishes to thank all residents who participated the first phase of public consultations by providing a written submission. The second phase of public consultations will begin in the spring 2018.

Additional submissions that have been received are being reviewed and will be posted here over the next couple of weeks.

Overview

Municipalities are charged with the responsibility to provide good government, services and the stewardship of public community assets, as well as foster economic, social and environmental well-being.

The Municipalities Act, 1999, the City of St. John’s Act, the City of Mount Pearl Act and the City of Corner Brook Act (collectively referred to as the “Municipal Legislation”) provide a legal framework for cities and municipalities to represent the interests and respond to the needs of their communities.

Why is Government reviewing the Municipal Legislation?

These laws affect cities and municipalities across the province and the residents within those communities. Like all laws, they must be updated from time to time.

The municipal legislation has been around for decades. While having undergone various amendments since they were enacted, this review will constitute the first comprehensive review of this municipal legislation.

What is being reviewed?

This review includes four municipal acts (the Municipalities Act, 1999, the City of St. John’s Act, the City of Mount Pearl Act and the City of Corner Brook Act); however, there are some elements relating to municipal governance that are not part of this review. These include:

Local by-laws

Provincial and municipal grant programs

Municipal budgets

Other provincial legislation

For more information on the municipal legislation, the review or the history of municipal legislation, please click here.

Get Involved

**All submissions and information provided by participants, including their names and organization, if applicable, will be available on this website for public viewing. For more information, click here.

Please provide your feedback before comments close on January 31, 2018.

Further public engagement opportunities will be available and updates regarding when and where they are happening will be posted on this page.

How will your input be used?

The information we receive relating to this legislative review will be reviewed by the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment. All feedback will be considered when drafting the legislation.

Submissions

The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment encourages everyone to get involved in the review by making a written submission. The deadline for written submissions is January 31, 2018.

Written submissions will be posted on the review website. Personal information of the submitter, such as name and personal opinions included in the submission, will also be published.

Click here for further information on how to make a written submission or about the publication of written submissions.

To view written submissions the Department has received, please click here.

Privacy Statement

The collection of information is done under the authority of section 61(c) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015, for the purpose of collecting public feedback on the current municipal legislation and ways to improve it.

Any personal information that may be received will be governed in accordance with the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 and will only be used for the purpose of informing the comprehensive review of the municipal legislation.

If you have any questions about how this information will be collected, used and disclosed, please contact the Municipal Legislation Review by email at [email protected] or call (709) 729-5539.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or additional comments regarding the municipal legislation review, please email [email protected] or call (709) 729-5539.